Off day Rules for Filipino Maids and Indonesian Maids

Helpers play a crucial role in many families in Singapore. A couple of years ago, weekly off days were implemented to improve the well-being of the foreign domestic helpers. A few would argue that this move threatens the safety of the helpers and letting them wander off outside may cause them to fall into bad company.

Eden Grace Agency would like to help employers and helpers to understand more about the off day ruling for helpers. Here are some of the helpful pointers:

What does MOM say about off days?

1. Off days are more than just for physical rest but it’s also the Indonesian maid’s and Filipino maid’s emotional and mental break from work.
Off days are internationally recognize to help workers become more productive and healthy. MOM acknowledges that maids in Singapore are not different from other employees at work. They also need a continuous break for at least 8 hours!

2. The rest day isn’t necessarily Sunday and the employer and FDW must mutually agree on which day it is.
Ideally, employers would choose to let their Indonesian maids of Filipino maids get an off day every Sunday. However, some employers may need their helpers on Sunday because of certain reasons. Because of this, the off day schedule can be changed if both the Filipino maid or Indonesian maid and the employer agrees to it. To avoid confusion, off days must be discussed before the helper started her contract in Singapore.

3. Working in the off day must be compensated.
Since the Filipino maid or Indo maid is entitled to one off day per week, she must be compensated for the off days that she worked in. The compensation is calculated by dividing her monthly salary by 26 working days, as there are typically 4 weeks in a month according to MOM.

What are the conditions of MOM when it comes to FDW off days?

1. The FDW can’t add her off days together.
Rest days are implemented to give the Indo maids or Filipino maids regular rest every week and have a break from their domestic duties. Adding the off days together to take an early leave or a long vacation takes away the purpose of why off days are implemented!

2. Off days arrangement may be changed given that there is an agreement between the helper and employer.

It is encouraged that off days must be discussed before the helper arrives in Singapore. However, unexpected changes may happen on the way that may cause this agreement to change. For example, the Filipino maid and employer agreed to have Sunday off days every week but the employer suddenly got pregnant and as a result, she needs more assistance when the baby is born. Both parties may change the off day arrangement if they reach a mutual agreement.

Don’t forget to write down the new agreement to keep it in a record. Verbal agreements are risky!

3. The helper can choose how she would like to spend her rest day.
We understand how employers are curious about how their Indo maid or Filipino maids spend their off day. How the maid spends her off day is completely up to her. The least the employers could do is to encourage the Indo maid or Filipino maid to take short-term courses for caregiving or cooking Chinese food. This way, they would know that the helper is spending her off day wisely, safely, and productively.

Trusted agencies like Eden Grace Maids Agency organize quarterly fun activities for all its Indonesian maids and Filipino maids. The agency knows how important it is for your helpers to have a healthy support group in Singapore! Every Sunday, Eden Grace also designs integrated program or mentorship program for the helpers to learn and have good friends.

4. FDWs who moonlight on their rest days are committing an offense and can be fined up to $20,000 and/or jailed up to 2 years.
One of the reasons why some employers aren’t very supportive of the new off day policy is because of the risks. Indonesian maids or Filipino maids may get involved in illegal activities and moonlight. Employers who permitted their helpers to moonlight will be fined up to $10 000 too!

We hope these tips help.

Eden Grace Maids Agency is an agency that promotes good fellowship between their maids through various team building activities and fun experiences. The agency’s intention is to improve Singaporean families’ lives through offering maid workforce services.